Learning from a Multiphase Evaluation of the VictimConnect Resource Center
Although crime rates have fallen in recent decades, millions of Americans experience victimization every year, which can cause physical injuries, pain, and trauma; property, job, and home loss; and even death. Some victims face immediate crises, whereas others face short-term, long-term, and even intergenerational consequences. Victimization also frequently impacts victims’ families, friends, and communities of support.
Launched in 2015 by the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), the VictimConnect Resource Center is the nation’s first and only technology-based resource center to offer comprehensive helpline services to victims of all types of crime. Visitors can access information, emotional support, and referrals through four technological channels that preserve victims’ confidentiality: softphone (anonymous internet-based phone calls), online chat, text messaging, and the website.
Victim resource centers and service providers across the country can benefit from information about how online technologies can improve responses to crime victims and make service approaches more effective.
Multiphase Evaluation
VictimConnect is at a prime stage for building research capacity, focusing on implementation fidelity, and identifying their areas of success. In 2019, with funding from the National Institute of Justice, the Urban Institute launched a multiphase evaluation of VictimConnect in partnership with NCVC. The overarching goals for the evaluation are to determine the extent to which VictimConnect does the following:
- increases victims’ access to high-quality services
- improves delivery of services that meet victims’ needs
- protects victims’ rights and confidentiality
- makes technology-based services more efficient
The phases include a formative evaluation (conducted in 2019 and 2020) and comprehensive implementation evaluation and rigorous outcome evaluation (conducted 2023 to 2026).
